Basil recipes

Vegetarian Mexican loaf made with crumbled veggie burgers, cornmeal, green chiles, corn, and chili powder baked in a water bath. Sliceable, savory, and served with homemade tomato sauce.

Lamb tartare made from hand-ground loin mixed with bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, scallions, and red pepper flakes. A Lebanese-inspired kibbeh nayyeh appetizer.

Vegetarian garbanzo cassoulet: chickpeas and carrots simmered with a clove-studded onion, baked under a tomato sauce and a triple layer of crispy herb bread crumbs. A rustic meatless casserole for cold nights.

Noodles Florentine casserole with spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan, sour cream, and buttery toasted bread crumb topping. A creamy, cheesy make-ahead side that plays nicely with roast chicken or pork.

Springtime chicken salad with poached chicken breast, snap-tender asparagus, crisp iceberg, and a bright lemon-herb dressing. A light, protein-packed main salad finished with toasted almonds.

Popeye's sweet pea soup: a double dose of green peas plus a whole pound of spinach, with yam, onion, celery, and a hint of molasses. Vegan, iron-packed, and ready in an hour.

Layered portabella mushroom pasta bake with wheat germ-crusted mushroom slices, chunky tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. A vegetarian Italian comfort dinner for two.

Vegetable gumbo is a lighter, meatless take on the Cajun classic: the holy trinity simmered with okra, corn, tomatoes and paprika, thickened naturally by the okra. No roux, no meat, just hearty vegetable comfort.

Vegan vegetable lasagna stacked with mashed tofu ricotta, sauteed mushrooms, cauliflower, swiss chard, and tomato sauce. A dairy-free, plant-packed casserole that holds its own against the classic.

Slow cooker spaghetti meat sauce with blended vegetables hidden in the base. Ground beef, canned tomatoes, carrots, and onions simmer 8-10 hours for a deep, rich, thick sauce.

Thai green chicken curry with eggplant simmered in coconut milk and green curry paste, finished with Thai basil, cilantro, and red chilies.

This fiery Cajun chicken pasta smothers spaghetti in a spicy triple-pepper tomato sauce loaded with butter-sautéed chicken. A bold Louisiana-style feast for heat lovers.

Charcoal grilled salmon steaks marinated in lemon, olive oil, and basil, served over spicy black beans simmered with ham, jalapenos, and fresh thyme. A smoky, protein-packed summer plate.

Thai-style stir-fried eggplant with ground pork, garlic, green chili, fish sauce, and fresh basil. Fast, punchy weeknight wok cooking in under 20 minutes.

Creamy cheddar pasta tossed with herb-seared chicken breast, sautéed zucchini and yellow summer squash. A hearty skillet dinner that hits comfort-food notes without drowning in heavy sauce.

Italian garden lasagna layers a rainbow of sauteed vegetables (peppers, carrots, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, spinach) with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan in a no-boil lasagna. Vegetarian comfort that uses up the garden haul.